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Summer Street shut on South Boston side after somebody chains a bag to a pole
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My suspicion
My suspicion is that this was someone who needed to go somewhere or do something and didn't want to carry that unwieldy bag around with them. If so, a dumb thing to do in this day and age.
For some reason it made me think of those old storage lockers with keys that used to be in T stations, specifically Government Center, in the 60s and 70s where one could store things for 25 cents. Such units would be unthinkable now, but those faded away in the 70s long before bombs and terrorism are as rampant as they are now. Perhaps they simply weren't profitable enough.
More likely liability and skyrocketing
insurance premiums were the main concern.
outside US
When I was in Taipei three years ago those things were everywhere at most bus stations. They're indispensable when you need to travel outside the city (for example) but don't want to lug around every possession. I checked out of an Airbnb, dropped my giant bag in one of those, and texted a friend the passcode. He was able to get it later in the day while I took a bus to the countryside.
Apparently they're not useful enough here, though.
Concept still around in the US
The example that springs to mind for me is across the street from the Capitol Building. Sure, not exactly what they have in Taipei, but the yoke whose bag was picked up may have been able to use this service today.
Well... not exactly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_LaGuardia_Airport_bombing
A little history is in order
https://www.theatlas.com/charts/4kHIXaT7e
I'm not sure here, but the 70
I'm not sure here, but the 70's terrorism attacks are related and located in Ireland, right? If that is correct, your counter point is disingenuous to his point. Broad sections of Europe would then live like what the anon described.
Even if I'm mistaken and terror was bigger in general - you're still counter-pointing showing a graph about Western Europe and the anon is talking about Boston - though I do remember reading about terrorist attacks in the 70's and thus being a thing in the US in my attempt to be intellectually honest.
This mention about lockers does make me think of something. Japan still have those lockers at train stations. Similarly low costs and located in stations in the way the Anon described. If the anon has a point about connecting public lockers and if we're afraid as soft targets to store a bomb, then Japan as a country with low fears of any violence much less bombings is an example.
Okay, then
More data, this focused exclusively on the US.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/0...
Not exactly right on Europe
Yes, the IRA bombed a lot, but there were leftist terror groups in Italy, West Germany, and Greece contributing a lot to those totals. Then those groups stopped, you had the 'Ra and ETA, but little else.
But yeah, there was a reason why the metal detectors at Suffolk Superior Court were more sensitive than those at Logan, and it came from the 70s.
Still around
There are still lockers at the South Station bus terminal and Rowes Wharf.
Not lockers. Package Express
Not lockers. Package Express on the roof of the South Station bus terminal will store your bags for $10, no overnights. Rowes Wharf has a water taxi service that will store bags.
North Station locker bombing
One reason why the T did away with lockers:
http://www.celebrateboston.com/disasters/north-station-explosion.htm
Interesting
That's a very interesting piece of local history, but if it's the reason the T did away with lockers it took them 15 years because they were still in Government Center in the 70s. Though one could say that's par for the course with the T.
Actually suspicious
Unlike most bomb threats, that one really looks like it could plausibly be a bomb and not just trash or a forgotten bag. Surprising they didn't blow it up.
Curiously
What makes one bag look "like it could plausibly be a bomb" and another not?
Pressure cookers used in the marathon bombing fit in simple backpacks.
Either way, the bomb squad doesn't look too concerned. I suppose location comes into play here.
The locking it to a pole part
n/t
No sticker
The bag doesn't have a resident sticker. Aren't we all sick of those bags from New Hampshire taking up our resident locking poles?
Suspicious containers are everywhere!
When are the cops going to start popping all the parked vehicle locks?
All these people driving into the city every day and I have no idea who they are. Then they leave their vehicles parked along all the streets with locked trunks. Nobody knows what danger lurks in this multitude of large hidden compartments.
Obviously, the only way to ensure our safety is to ban motor vehicles from the city.
It's probably just art, no
It's probably just art, no need to get all worked up and involve the authorities. Geez...
NOT ART
Citations please!
Citations please!
I walked by this around 9 a.m
I walked by this around 9 a.m. today. At the time, there was both a bike and this bag chained to the pull. I assumed someone had run into a cafe to grab breakfast. It would definitely have struck me as more strange had it just been the bag.
When do we get to find out
When do we get to find out what was inside and who it belonged to?
Homeless persons bag
Turned out to belong to a homeless man who sleeps nearby
If the duffel bag was a couch
If the duffel bag was a couch and the location was South Boston, then 311 would have ignored the complaint by now giving another vote for Tito.